Category Archives: Wedding Style Trends 2011

Celebrity Wedding Roundup

Posted on by

Didn’t it seem like last year there were hardly any celebrity weddings? With the exception of the spectacular union of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinky which had all the right elements including two Vera Wang gowns, secret service and Hollywood guest list.

This year getting married seems to be the new black in Hollywood, even Hugh Hefner is jumping on the bandwagon (again) after bachelor-ing it up on reality TV for several seasons. Probably most notable and most recent (and most interesting)  is the engagement of Kim Kardashian to her basketball playing fiance, Kris Humphries.  

I love celebrity weddings for a million reasons and I am often disappointed by them. I love seeing what they come up with given their seemingly limitless budgets and star-studded guestlists. I loved Celine Dion’s over-the-top wedding, except her hideous head gear. Seriously, what was that? I loved Mariah Carey’s fairy princess look at her first wedding even though in retrospect  it seems gaudy. And trust me, I was sore when I picked up a people magazine with a photo of Julia Roberts with Lyle Lovett in basically a nightgown with bare feet. I still don’t get it but, I eventually forgave her. 🙂

So as I await details of the  second trip down the aisle for Kim Kardashian, the Reality A-lister, I would expect to see a lot of pomp …. under the circumstances.  And, of course the speculation begins as to what (who) she will wear.

What will Kim wear? With a 20 carat, 2 million dollar engagement ring, the stakes are high. Vera Wang is very possible since her sister wore a Vera Wang for her wedding not so long ago and Vera Wang has the kind of name recognition that the Kardashian Klan adores. Of course there are dozens of suitable high end designers;  Amsale, Ines Di Santo, Rivini, Monique Lhullier… the list goes on. However, looking at pictures of Kim K and her flair for wearing body-hugging styles, my guess is Pnina Tornai or Stephen Yearick.  Furthermore, since Kleinfelds of  “Say Yes to The Dress” fame is the exclusive distributor for the Pnina Tornai collection, I think a reality  mega-merger is in store. Perhaps a  one hour special “Kim Takes Klenifeld’s”! I am quite often wrong when I speculate so don’t hold me to that. One thing is for sure, don’t look for her to be following the understated look worn recently by Catherine Middleton. In Hollywood less is never more and not enough is worse than nothing at all. Fortunately,  the Kardashian’s never disappoint when it comes to glitz and glamour. 

Here are my picks for the Kardashian bridal party:

Bridal Gown  – Tight fitting corset bodice with a tremendous, detailed skirt! I personally love this one-shoulder gown with the draped bodice. It is unique and fabulously couture!

Bridal Party – Something slim and flowing, something feminine and chic. For instance the pleated metallic halter  gown by Carmen Marc Valvo or a pastel gown executed flawlessly by the  Enzoani Love Collection. For something more vibrant, there is always a Redux Charles Chang-Lima silk gown in bright red.  These would look great on any of them or the Mother of the Bride.

Stay tuned as details of the big day unfold! Until then, you can see all of the latest designer gowns at each and every Bridal Expo. Or take a minute now to watch our couture runway show which (unlike some celebrity weddings) never disappoints. https://www.bridalshowexpo.com/fos_video_bride.html?PHPSESSID=c7dbb4fca519180d63d86a3f15f36209

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Bridesmaids – The Movie!

Posted on by

From the moment I saw the first trailer or heard the first tidbit of information, I knew I HAD to see “Bridesmaids”.  So when my BFFs called and whisked me away to the movie Friday night, wild horses could not have kept me away!
Let me first explain I am not a movie critic and I have no credentials as such. But, I am a woman and I have female friends, I have been both a bridesmaid and a bride and have lived inside the wedding business for almost 30 years, those are my credentials!

As an unqualified movie critic, I suggest that every woman should be required to see this movie. It examines female relationships so hilariously that you cannot imagine you are laughing about something so inappropriate. More importantly, in this movie you will find one or all of the women who are bridesmaids in your circle of friends; the blushing bride, the innocent one, the real mom, the perfect one, the wild card and the maid of dishonor. You will also  find that one or all of you has had similar feelings or circumstances ( maybe not as highly exaggerated as the on-screen version) as the women in this movie.  You will also be surprised at how sympathetic you are to the plight of the bride and each of the onscreen maids.

Basically the bride’s life is coming together just as the  life of her maid of honor seems to be falling apart. As a result, we are forced to take a comedic and raunchy look at how ridiculous some of  the typical bridesmaid rituals really can get.  we watch and laugh as  Annie ( maid of honor) constantly breaks down and nearly ruins every detail of every event with her hilarious hi-jinks and total ineptitude.  She is spectacular.

Annie is that  little voice in our head; every fear personified, every insecurity magnified. She is the funny, un-hinged, insecure girl with a heart of gold who just keeps getting kicked around. Her actions and re-actions to every situation are priceless.

The  movie allows us to admit that the wedding and  bridesmaid gowns are hideous even though they are ultra-expensive.  It allows us to admit that the over-the-top shower invitations ( including a live butterfly) are pretentious and the favors given out by the hostess have simply gone way too far.  It allows us to laugh when life throws a big banana cream pie in our face and eventually realize the only important thing is to hold on to the relationships you have spent a lifetime building.

Rarely do I say this ( and anyone who has seen the movie will probably agree) Bridesmaids II will almost certainly be as good as if not better than the first. Mostly because there are so many other aspects of the wedding that have yet to be examined under a humorous microscope but also because I really fell in love with these women – first as my own friends and then again on screen last Friday.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Weddings and Television- a Marriage Made in Hollywood Heaven

Posted on by

The romance between viewers and television weddings  started with a bang in 1981. In July of that year over 750 million people watched as Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles. Later that same year the fictional characters of Luke Spencer (no relation to the former) and Laura Webber were married in a lavish ceremony with Elizabeth Taylor as a surprise guest. This is still the highest rated hour in daytime soap opera  history with 30 million+ viewers.

Since then we were riveted while movies, seriesm specials and reality television took over the wedding venue. Of course reality tv is a guilty pleasure many watcha nd few admit.  There are currently 20+ wedding-related reality shows on various channels ranging from extremely popular to struggling viewership. This doesn’t even include cake and decor related shows and specials, or The Knot on demand. 

The hunger for these shows is never-ending and based on two things: trainwrecks and fairytales. We watch the trainwrecks to feel better about ourselves and we watch the  fairytales hoping that could be us one day. Using that basic formula  the networks know that if they build it – we will come.  The highest rated shows tease us with the hope that there may be a trainwreck within a fairytale or vice versa. Sometimes it happens, and when it does……. it is a hit!

Say Yes to the Dress has a simple plot:  Find your dream gown in a 35,000 square foot iconic Bridal Salon in Manhattan. Brides from around the world have flocked to Kleinfeld’s Bridal for generations in hopes of locating the gown of their dreams. The best part of the show is the interaction between brides, their family and the staff. Sometimes you get to see the happy ending and sometimes you get to see a near-catfight among the salon guests. Catfight? $25,00 gown? Happy ending? Where do I sign up?
This is a perfect mix of good and bad and I always walk away feeling satisfied. Not so much with the Altanta version.

Bridezilla is not as easy to watch. Maybe it is the years I spent in bridal retail, maybe it is my mother’s  upbringing … I dont know. But there is something about this show that give me  heart palpitations. If I have to listen as one more bride demands to have things “her way or the highway”, I think I might throw something at the tv. These women exist in real life as well as on tv and my advice is to  avoid them at all costs. Watch if you must.

Amazing Wedding Cakes has only one down-side. Yes, it is exhilarating to watch as these talented pros create art from flour and suger. The problem is that they also give the illusion that baking and delivering a 5 tiered cake is not  as hard as it looks. What I love most is watching the chefs and bakers work with their creations, how quickly their nimble fingers make a blob of icing look like an actual tea rose. They way they move their hands is hypnotic. This show should come with a disclaimer-” Warning: watching this show might give you the temporary impression that the tasks you are about to watch are easy. Do Not Try This At Home!”

Platinum weddings allows us to experience the wedding of the uber-wealthy. With colossal budgets come colossal demands and this show is a real tribute to the wedding planners and how well they are able to organize and execute these demands. You will not see any Bridezillas here. These women pay someone to get mad for them and it is usually the wedding planner.  Watch as each planner delivers all of the couple’s request, whether it is  the hand-monogrammed table linens or  600 flower centerpieces. This show delivers the goods every time and although there are rarely any nail-biters, the drama is still there. It’s in the details.

David Tutera  made a name for himself as a highly sought-after wedding planner many years before his reality show  began broadcasting into our homes. What this show accomplishes is genius. It takes one  part trainwreck and sprinkles it with magic dust to turn it into a fairytale.  Mr. Tutera can turn a swamp  into something magical and he does this everyt ime. The lucky brides are so thrilled to have him on board and they trust his style so there is smooth sailing – usually. When you hear the crickets something is not right.

No re-cap of wedding shows would be complete without the ultimate trainwreck of all time; My Big Redneck Wedding. I dont think this needs much explanation. I can’t explain it anyway since over-all clad grooms andbrides in hunting gear makes no sense to me. Honestly I am not sure if this has any elements that I would recommendnd except one – it is a trainwreck every time.  If you like trainwrecks, knock yourself out.

Don’t miss Fabulous Cakes tonight at 8 pm on TLC featuring Chicago’s very own fabulous bakers including Amy Beck who we are very proud to have as one of our preferred vendors. Best Wishes, Amy and to all of you who sacrifice to make our wedding viewing more enjoyable! 

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Urban Legends – Wedding Style!

Posted on by

I love it when I open my email and someone re-cants story that happened and I know before I finish the first line how it is going to end! When the story has been repeated so many times that people begin to actually think it is true. Of course the details change slightly but, everyone knows the end result…. Urban Legend. Where do these things get their start? Some urban legends are like fables and they have an underlying moral; the hair braid legend is to remind parent’s to wash their kids hair at least once a week. Some are made up from what people secretly wish happened; Donald Trump pays off their mortgage. Some are purely  mean-spirited; Barack Obama’s birth certificate is fake. And some some are just pure entertainment; the pregnant turkey comes to mind. Whatever the occasion, there is an urban legend to delight everyone. Since today is Friday 13th I am sharing my favorite wedding urban legends with gamophiles everywhere.

The Fatal Tan is a horrid tale of vanity and stupidity. A bride feels she is too pale to look good for her wedding so she goes to several tanning salons every day for the maximum allottedtime at each salon.  On the fifth day she is found dead, it seems  her organs sunburned from the inside. It is important to note that in some versions of this story the bride is described as a blonde at this exact point in the story… for reasons I am not quite sure. The moral of the story is not to be tan, or not to be vain, or not to be blonde, I guess.

Bride and Seek is not a pleasant story, either. The bride and groom engage in a game of hide and seek at their reception which is being held in a barn, warehouse or wherever and the bride cannot be found. The groom is furious but move son with his life. After a few weeks she is found in an old trunk. She was inebriated, knocked unconscious and died. This is the kind of story you make up to remind the bride and groom not to drink too much. I feel it leaves a lot of unanswered questions: Who has a wedding reception in an abandoned barn or warehouse?  Why was someone cleaning  an abandoned barn or warehouse? If the maid found her in a trunk, why couldn’t the groom or the guests find her?

Rice at Weddings  is another gruesome tale (I’m seeing a pattern, here). Supposedly written by an actual photographer at an actual wedding who saw this first-hand. While at a wedding snapping pictures of the couple leaving the church as all the guests were throwing rice, the photographer immediately noticed  red spots appeared on the bride’s gown. He was able to capture the look of horror on the guest’s faces as nearby birds began ingesting the rice and immediately exploding. Okay, where are the pictures and what kind of rice was it? Exploding rice? Everyone who thinks this is true raise your hand. Everyone put your hands down.

Last but not least – the king or queen of all wedding legends is the Clemson/Mastercard/Disgruntled Bride or Groom legend.You see this legend has enough power to spread from the bride to the groom effortlessly. It can be in Clemson University or anywhere. It can take on a life of its own and be either before, during or after the actual wedding and could also apparently be used for a Mastercard commercial. The most popular version is during the reception, by the groom at Clemson University. Here goes:  A man and woman are married in a lavish ceremony (maybe at Clemson, maybe not) and after (or during) the wedding the groom (or bride)  stands up and thanks everyone for coming and informs them that there is a special gift for them taped under their seat. Everyone has received a manila envelope with 8×10 glossy photos of the bride with the best man or (groom with the maid of honor) in various stages of undress, obviously having an affair. The Mastercard version ends with the tag line: Priceless. I think you get it.

I saved the best for last. This is a brand new one and you may not have even seen or heard this.  I came across the ROYAL wedding photo hoax three days after the  Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It is well-done, even though the pictures are rather fuzzy it renders the feeling of an artsy wedding photo. Not terribly well thought out since the gown, cake and not much else is a match but, adding the Corgis was an especially nice touch.  I will go out on a limb and say the Queen of England and Elton John did not engage in a conga line but, if these pictures are not  hilarious, I will eat my words!

– Pernny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

A Salute to Bridesmaids

Posted on by

They have agreed to stand by your side at your wedding and watch as you marry your life partner. They have agreed (maybe reluctantly) to wear and pay for whatever gown you have chosen for them. They have agreed to be as much or as little a part of the entire process and the big day as you want.  Bridesmaids everywhere; past, present and future – we salute you!

Bridesmaid’s duties are simple;  smile, look your best and be supportive.  Bridesmaid’s under no circumstances are allowed to cause trouble for any reason from start to finish. If they hate the dress, the should wear it and not complain. If they are not happy with any one single detail of the wedding, the need to zip their lips and move on. The only time a bridesmaid should question anything is if she really has difficulty paying. It is not bad manners to explain to the bride that she simply cannot afford the gown, shoes, etc (or whatever) and she and the bride can decide on a course of action.

It is truly an honor to be asked to be a bridesmaid. Your friend has decided she wants to see you in her wedding photos, she wants to share the innermost wedding details and to have you stand by her side as she takes a solemn vow. This is an important job, not to be taken lightly. Sure there are bridesmaid horror stories, usually involving a self-indulgent female who has her opinions about how the gown (and everything else) should be handled. But, for the most part, bridesmaids have been given bad reputation and for what? Wearing a sometimes awful dress and having their picture taken.

In honor of Bridesmaids everywhere  I have created the bridesmaid’s oath:

“On this day I vow to be your bridesmaid, to hold your wedding vows sacred an support your decision to marry __________.

I vow to wear whatever gown you choose, to smile in every picture, to stand in the receiving line for any amount of time and smile at every person who shakes my hand.

I vow to not complain about the fit, fabric or cost of the bridesmaid gown. To show up for every fitting on time with the correct shoes and undergarment. To wear whatever headpices, hair comb, jewelry, makeup and shoes you decide. To never question your motive, reason or decision regarding my attire for the day.

 

I vow to get you through the wedding planning process seamlessly. To provide humor, support, and  a much needed girls night out whenever you need.

 

I vow to attend every bridesmaid function without excuse, hesitation or delay. To smile and enjoy each function without over-indulging in alcohol or to cause any intentional embarrassment to the bride, groom or family of either one.

I vow not to chew gum during the wedding, to make sure my skirt is not tucked into my panties as I walk up the aisle, to leave my shoes on during the reception and to not attempt to disrupt the photos with rabbit ears over someones head.

I vow to be your friend and to uphold the sanctity of the honor that has been bestowed upon me by being a bridesmaid in the wedding of one of my closest friends. This is my solemn vow.”

 

I can’t wait to see the new movie  “Bridesmaids” opening tomorrow.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Cake Toppers – The Latest & Greatest Trends

Posted on by

I got all worked up yesterday looking at pictures of awful wedding cakes. In addition to the awful cakes, I ran across some very disturbing cake toppers. By the end of the day I realized the little plastic bride and groom were not the only options available anymore and thought it would  be fun to delve into this a little further because really, once I get on a subject,  it’s hard for me to re-focus until it has run it’s course.  What I found really lifted my spirits. In addition to all other forms of wedding decor, the wedding cake topper has become one of the most interesting ways a  couple can express their creativity at their wedding.

Cake toppers are traditionally a miniature model of a bride and groom sitting on top of a wedding cake. This trend began around the 1920’s and has been a staple ever since. Cake toppers could arguably be called one of the main attractions at weddings since,  after a bride´s dress, the wedding cake often takes center stage. How do you choose the right one for you?

Two weeks ago we were awed by William & Kate’s massive 500+ lb cake at the Royal Wedding. Although I can’t seem to find one piece of information about the actual cake topper, it appears to be a simple wreath of sorts, made of smaller flowers, the same kind as in the bridal bouquet. After doing a little more research it seems it is not a truly unique as I thought. It appears that members of the royal family always have a flower themed cake topper. Of course, Princess Diana had a much larger one, almost an entire floral arrangement  but, that was the 80’s when bigger was better. …and it was a state affair, after all.

In Modern American Wedding culture it is perfectly acceptable for the bride and groom to accent the top of their cake in any form they feel suits their personality as a couple. But, so we really need cake toppers depciting arguments, resistance or intimate moments? Although it’s not my cup of tea,  more power to you for wanting everyone to have a  good laugh at your expense (they will).

The latest trend in cake toppers is monogramed spikes. They are called spikes because they have large prongs that dig deep into the cake so they don’t fall over due to the weight, like big birthday candles sometimes do. Not to worry, you can get very creative with these as well. If monograms aren’t your choice, there are also some beautifully shaped hearts, snowflakes or crowns. Not sure I understand the crown thing but  its your day, right?

There are also some very modern takes on the traditional bride and groom cake topper. For example,  the bride and groom Mii. If you aren’t familiar with video games, a Mii is an avatar of the Wii game systems that you style to have your appearance. Very clever and whimsical.  Another great cake topper for a fun-loving couple would be one constructed of Legos. In reality there are hundreds of styles to choose from. Bride and Groom sports fans, skeleton bride and groom, Star Wars, Zombies, Surfers, bobble-head, you name it. Decide if the top of your cake is the place you want to be this creative and go with it.

Of course you can never go wrong with the traditional bride and groom whether it’s Lladro, ceramic or even plastic. They are avaible in a variety of hair, gown and facial choices.

My only advice would be to get something you can save and cherish and will serve as a happy  reminder of the day. I would also add that you should consult with your baker to make sure it is something they are comfortable working with and will be easily integrated into the design.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Do it Yourself Weddings – don’t try this at home

Posted on by

I’ll admit it. I am an obsessive do-it-yourself-er. I am an amateur at some things and an expert at others. I can do just about anything given enough time and internet access or a library of books on the particular subject. I am also heavily opinionated about when to do it yourself and when to call in the professionals. There are just some things that are not a good idea. Weddings, in particular are one of those times.

The months, weeks and days leading up to your wedding are busy. Most women have to work and plan this event in their free time. There is barely time to sleep so taking on an extra task is unthinkable to most brides-to-be.

However, there are some couples faced with wanting or needing to cut costs so fervently that they decide to tackle the Do-It-Yourself wedding. Maybe they are just gluttons for punishment or they really do think they are capable. I’m not sure – but I can tell you this has more of the potential for disaster than asking Rosanne to sing the National Anthem.

DIY nightmare #1 -Bridesmaid Dresses. Sewing is easy, you get a pattern, cut it out, thread the needle and begin, right? NO. Sewing properly is an art form not to be taken lightly. Sewing delicate fabrics requires patience, skill and concentration. Unless you are a professional seamstress with your own studio filled with eager employees, do not attempt to make your own bridesmaid gowns. You will not only be disappointed when the gowns come out looking like a bad Home Ec project, you will also hate the pictures because they will magnify every poorly sewn detail. You also risk having bridesmaids who will never speak to you again.

#2 -Flowers. This has the potential to be a major catastrophe. Imagine staying up all night, the night before your wedding day clipping flower stems and ribbon-tying bouquets. That’s a best-case scenario and it goes downhill quickly from there. Ask yourself if you have a cooling system large enough to house the completed centerpieces and bouquets. You can’t put them in your refrigerator ta home because there are natural gases in food that will destroy the flowers. not to mentions flower arranging is very difficult and time consuming if done properly. Ask yourself if you will truly have time to enjoy your wedding week if every second of the last three days is spent focusing on flower pick up, purchasing and arranging only to wind up with an arrangement of half dead flowers. I doubt it.

#3 – Photo/Video. So you have decided to just put single use cameras on the table and let everyone take photos at the reception? Really? Maybe you handed a cam-corder to Uncle Bob and asked him to tape the whole thing. Maybe it would be a better idea to have everyone hold up their cell phones and snap random pictures out of focus with bad lighting. Or you could just have a courtroom sketch artist  depict the whole affair. Hire a photographer, even if it is just for an official portrait…. hire a photographer.

#4- Cake. Speaking from experience, decorating a cake is not easy. Martha Stewart seems to show up, squirt icing on the cake and it looks fantastic. The truth is that she had years of rigid training, attention to detail and only now after decades of hand-piping by herself in the confines of her own kitchen, she has a staff to handle this for her. Her staff has been trained and re-trained and practiced on more cakes than you can eat in a lifetime. In all fairness, they do make it look easy on TV. Don’t attempt to make your own cake. It took 5 weeks to complete the cake for William & Kate’s Royal Reception. 5 weeks of sugar flowers, 5 weeks of hand rolling  petals made of frosting to mirror an actual rose. Not to mention the added worry of transporting without dropping it. You would be better off buying a cheap cake at the grocery store than attempting to make one yourself. I’m not wrong about this.

In the end, it is the actual ceremony that matters the most but, why waste time and money trying to do it yourself only to have a fiasco weeks, hours or even minutes before the ceremony?

There are a few things you can do yourself. You can print or make  labels for bottles of wine as gifts, you can carefully arrange and/or wrap the favors that will be sent home, you can also cut and tie the netting or paper rice holders, if you are having rice thrown at your wedding. Other than that, I would advise against any attempt at handling these tasks yourself.

I won’t bore you with endless DIY disaster stories. I will share only one. A close friend of mine decided she would do her own hair and makeup, as well as the entire bridal party. They even went so far as to get together and do a practice run so she knew what everyone wanted. That’s a  lot to remember if you ask me. Anyway, fast forward to her wedding day when due to a traffic snafu she was literally putting on makeup right before she walked down the aisle. The bonus is that she was not familiar with photography-style  makeup so she and every bridesmaid looked comopletely washed out and borderline macabre. Big Mistake.

Hire professionals to have professional results. Visit www.bridalshowexpo.com to find a qualified, reputable, professional baker, florist, bridal salon or photographer in your area.

– Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

April Showers bring…..PROM!

Posted on by

 Prom today is not Prom of yesterday and anyone who has children, nieces or nephews will tell you that Prom is serious business.

Prom has become so big that even asking someone to go , whether you have been dating for two years or have never spent five minutes alone with your dream date has become a festival of one-upmanship.

Thirty years ago, when you asked ( or got asked) to go to the prom it seemed like a big deal. It also seemed like all the boy had to do was get up enough nerve to ask.  Now, through carefully orchestrated events, songs, youtube videos and signs;  invitees are hard pressed to find the most creative way to pose their question.  This has become a competition of sorts, to see who can be the most creative. A boy can’t just ask a girl; it has to be over-the-top. A pop-up screen on a computer at school or a dessert ordered in a restaurant that comes with a chocolate sauce message, for example. Think of a typical marriage proposal, and that’s what it’s like. One young man even made the news trying to place a large sign in a public place “Will you go to Prom with me?” He was arrested, subsequently released and the prom invitation made the evening news. He wins.

After the invitation is accepted, the real work lies ahead.  The couples’ outfit is carefully co-ordinated. If at all possible, every detail of the couples’ outfit must be an exact match. That requires a lot of work. The tie and cummerbund must match the ladies’ gown exactly. The boutonniere and corsage must also be an exact match. I think you get the idea.

Back then, asking your parents to borrow the ‘nice’  car for the big date was harder than securing the date itself. Over 80% of prom-goers in 2011 will handle this by hiring a limo. Prom is huge for Limousine companies and they have the staff to handle it. This is by far the best trend in proms. It takes a little worry away from the parents (a little).  A reputable limo company will handle every detail and pamper your prince and princess as if they were royalty.  Also make sure there is no alcohol involved. This is a major Faux Pas and most companies frown on underage drinking. According to Prom magazine, a white stretch limo of any kind is still the car of choice. The Hummer and Escalade seem to have an edge on the others.

Photo-booths are a great way to get more candid pictures at the prom and are being used in addition to the official prom photo. You can pose and act up with a variety of  friends in the privacy of the booth. The photo-booth is not your personal dressing room so leave all of your clothes on and no funny business… don’t make me come in there!

Prom Themes are as spectacular as you could imagine. The theme is no longer based on the theme song but more on style trends. Dancing with the Stars, Masquerade, Shanghai Nights, Moroccan Mystique and   some proms have even adopted their own “Red Carpet” some of which are even streaming live for parents and family to watch at home. Very clever.

 Which brings us to the prom dress. The pinnacle of your high school career. Your reputation is at stake here so this cannot be taken lightly. This is how you will be remembered for years to come. Short is hot, long is fine, and anything in between from a handkerchief hem to a spiraling mermaid skirt. Truly anything goes and less is definitely not more. In order to find the perfect prom dress, shop til you drop is probably my only advice. And although I doubt if many will be willing to spring for it, there is a $14,000 ‘Prom’ gown available by Dress Goddess with $13,000 worth of real diamonds sewn in the bodice. Available in sizes 00 to 12. For the more cost conscious, bridal salons have loads of gowns that are either specifically for Prom or can be used for  Prom. If  the budget is really tight ask to try on sample gowns.

It doesn’t end with the gown. Remember ladies, you will have to schedule hair and nail appointments in advance and your lipstick must be carefully co-ordinated! Don’t forget that jewelry, shoes, and all other accessories must be in compliance with the current prom standard at your school or you might possibly suffer the wrath of the “Mean Girls”.

If you are headed to Prom this year the most critical thing to remember is this:   make it a night to remember and BE SAFE!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Wacky & Tacky – Good weddings gone bad!

Posted on by

I don’t know when it happened but a while back someone decided that weddings were a good time to make bad choices. Almost as if masses of people simultaneously had the same thought “Let’s turn our wedding into a sideshow!” and then it spread like wild fire.

I am not talking about some of the god-awful wedding or bridesmaids gowns or even the ridiculous theme weddings that some people think are clever and unique. Generally these folks know exactly what they are doing and are trying to make a statement or prove something. More power to them for decimating a somber moment. I am referring to weddings that appear to be  tasteful and then – BOOM! The tacky shows up and has no where to hide.  

After having watched one of the most tasteful weddings in my lifetime on BBC America, I thought it was a good time to cover the other end of the spectrum.

Eleven tackiest things you can do at your wedding:

#1-  Brides do not smoke in their wedding gown. Invest in nicorette.

#2- It is not acceptable to have the wedding cake look like anything other than a cake.

#3- Wedding gowns with logos on them are  advertisements and unless the owner of the logo is sponsoring your entire affair – leave the patches on your windbreaker . Either way it is completely tacky. The only thing on your gown should be lace or beading.

#4- Keep shoes on during the reception.  No one wants to see your feet. It is also a safety issue since there may be the chance of broken glass. If your feet hurt, buy a second pair of lower heeled matching shoes and wear them. Or better yet – buy a pair of shoes that are comfortable to begin with.

#5 – Buy a gown that fits. Exposing too much cleavage does not make you sexy or more attractive. Having rolls of back fat spilling over a strapless gown is not appealing. Wearing a dress so short that you  need to invite your gynecolgoist is not a good idea, either. This is not a money issue, brides will spend thousands of dollars on designer gowns and then even more money to have them altered only to look like a Vegas Showgirl.

#6- Garter removal. I get it – you guys are married  and in love and you want everyone to know that you get to ‘do it’ tonight. But, for the love of God –  someone please get rid of this awful wedding ritual. No one uses garters anymore and the whole pulling up the dress thing is downright creepy, especially when it goes just one tiny bit too far.

#7 – Toasting should be a time for raising glasses and spirits. The best toast can bring the guests to tears of joy in two sentences. The worst can last forever and mention things that are way to personal.

#8 – The first dance or any dance is a bad time to crank out a tacky tune.  Boyz II Men, “I’ll make love to you” comes to mind. Check and re-check your playlist and try to save the make out dance party music for another time.

#9 – No bare midriffs for bridesmaids, guests or (heaven help us) flower girls. You have your entire life to show everyone your smokin’ body and I think gramps could live a little longer without life support not having to worry if his 4 year old great-granddaughters nipple is showing.

#10-  Cash Bar. You heard me. A cash bar says “I really only care about  me and not you”.  If funds are low, have a smaller affair. If you can only afford a small amount, restrict it to bottom shelf liquor or wine and beer. Or wine only. Or just have the reception at Olive Garden with the immediate family.

#11 – Having any conversation with any guest about the cost of the wedding. This is prior to the event, during the event or after the event. Unless said guest is one of your nearest and dearest, they don’t need to know firsthand how much your nuptials set you back. Before the event it makes you appear to be asking for money, during or after it is bragging and both are unacceptable. Let everyone speculate about your lavish affair and smile, knowing it was well worth it.

Whether your wedding budget is $10,000 or $10,000,000 you can avoid most of these mistakes by using reputable professionals. At each and every Bridal Expo you can rest assured that our vendors have your best interests at heart.  Take their advice and use their ample experience to avoid being featured on a tacky wedding website!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

The Royal Fruitcake with Royal Icing

Posted on by

Details have been revealed about the Royal Wedding Cake! Or should I say cakes? Cake #1 – (the main cake) is being designed by  Fiona Cairns and it is described as a traditional, multi-layered fruitcake decorated with royal icing in the Joseph Lambeth method using cream and white. Cake #2 was requested by Prince William and is described as a chocolate biscuit cake by McVities, who has been baking for the royal family since 1893.   Two cakes is really not  excessive  considering  William’s mother and Father had 27 cakes at their reception in 1981.

That is a lot of information. To most of us here on the West side of the pond, it doesn’t really make sense. Fruitcake? Chocolate biscuit cake? What is going on? Where’s the fondant? What about buttercream? Forget everything you know about American wedding cakes for now and open your mind to some new, international  possibilities.

Fruitcake – I have to admit I was taken aback when I heard the words Royal wedding and fruitcake in the same sentence.  I remember the fruitcakes my mom used to get as gifts at Christmas and make us  eat a piece to be polite to whomever gave it to us.  No thanks.  Now I did a little research and it seems that the bastardized version of fruitcakes is like that of anything else… inferior. The fruitcake that William and Kate will be sharing with their guests is something we would consider ‘bread’ or, more appropriately,  a muffin.  Imagine a dried cranberry, apricot, almond, raisin muffin! Possibly infused with some kind of alcohol, brandy perhaps? Now, thats more like it! Add frosting? Yes, please!

Royal Icing is a pure white icing that dries to a smooth, hard, matte finish. It colors beautifully and is really the best frosting option when you need intricate piping or ornate scrollwork done. When you see those beautifully decorated, intricate cookies on the covers of magazines, they are decorated with royal icing. The application is similar to spreading room temperature butter over the entire cake.

Joseph Lambeth method- Who is Jospeh Lambeth?  No surprise here, the Lambeth method is very popular in Great Britain and has been around since Joseph introduce his first book in 1934. What makes this method unique is the use of over-piping to create lacy, floral and ornate patterns and is is easy to recognize. Imagine a  cake with piping and scroll-work. Now imagine you added a layer of piping on top of the piping and scrollwork. On top of that piping  and scroll-work you added thinner piping and even more details. The end result is a very 3-dimensional cake that has so much depth you wonder how deep the icing really is and if there is any cake at all. Between the fruitcake and the icing and considering it is multi-layered (probably 6 or 7 layers) I would imagine this cake is going to weigh well over 500 pounds, in weight … not currency.

Chocolate biscuit cake is a no-bake cake that is described as one of his childhood favorites. He shared this cake with his mother and grandmother for afternoon teas throughout his childhood. This is more of a “grooms cake” which, until now has strictly been an American custom, that will be served alongside the main cake. Back to the no-bake part since this is right up  my alley. I won’t go into the recipe details even thought it is so simple I could make a few of these without blinking. Just imagine breaking up a bunch of shortbread cookies and basically gluing them together with melted chocolate in a buttered cake mold. After it is removed from the mold, drizzle it with white, semi or milk chocolate ( or all three) and serve with tea. My only question is : Will they be serving seconds? YUM!

The price tag for both cakes has been reported as $80,000 GBP and is being covered by Prince Charles, personally. If your currency converter is broken, that is roughly $132,000 US for the two cakes. With a guest list for the casual afternoon reception totalling  1,900 guests that is about $70 per slice.

My best guess is that even the cakes will set new trends. American Brides and fruitcake? Anything could happen!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago